Jade Buddha Temple
Unlike other temples, which are mostly built by mountains and rivers, the Jade Buddha Temple is located in the bustling downtown area of Shanghai. Yet here, you can close your eyes and seek inner peace, making it a tranquil oasis amidst the hustle and bustle. It is said that people visit Longhua Temple for career aspirations, Jing'an Temple for peace, while the Jade Buddha Temple, with its Jade Buddha statue enshrined within, symbolizes wealth, thus attracting those seeking prosperity and family flourishing. Nowadays, the Jade Buddha Temple boasts lush greenery. The main hall is designed in the architectural style of the Song Dynasty, with the Hall of the Heavenly Kings (天王殿), the Great Buddha's Hall (大雄宝殿), and Jade Buddha Tower(玉佛楼) lined up along the central axis. On both east and west sides, there are Guanyin hall, the Bronze Buddha hall, the Reclining Buddha hall, the meditation room and abstinence hall, among others.
The founder and first abbot of the Jade Buddha Temple was Venerable Huigen. In the Qing Dynasty (1882), Huigen traveled to the Wutai Mountains, Mount Emei, Tibet, and then to India to pay homage to the Buddha. Afterward, he passed through Myanmar. With the sponsorship of local overseas Chinese, he mined jade from the mountains and carved it into five jade Buddha statues, which he brought back to Mount Putuo. During his journey back, when passing through Shanghai, he left behind one seated Buddha and one reclining Buddha statue, and built a temple to enshrine them, which became known as the Jade Buddha Temple. The original Jade Buddha Temple was established in the 26th year of the Guangxu era in the Qing Dynasty (1900), but it was not located at the current Anyuan Road. In the 7th year of the Republic of China (1918), this temple was destroyed by fire during a war, prompting its reconstruction at the present location.
The moment you step into the Jade Buddha Temple, you seem to traverse through a millennia-long time tunnel. As dawn breaks, golden sunlight filters through the sparse clouds, gently bathing the courtyard adorned with towering ancient trees. Every leaf seems to welcome both devout and curious visitors alike. Upon entering the main hall, you are greeted by the solemn and dignified statues of the Buddha, their gazes benevolent and profound, as if able to perceive the joys and sorrows of all creatures in the world, and to dissolve the troubles and worries of all beings with their boundless compassion. They serve as a spiritual anchor, a beacon of faith, guiding the lost to find their spiritual home.
Inside the temple, the air is permeated with a faint scent of sandalwood, both ancient and refreshing, urging you to instinctively slow down your pace, take a deep breath, and attempt to inhale this tranquility and serenity into your heart, carrying away the bustle and exhaustion of the mundane world. The colorful murals that adorn the surroundings embody the dedication and piety of the artists in every brushstroke. They are not merely displays of art, but interpretations and transmissions of Buddhist teachings, adding a profound reflection on the meaning of life amidst the appreciation.
A visit to the Jade Buddha Temple not only allows you to appreciate the charm of ancient architecture, but also awakens your own spirit. Here, you can learn to face the ups and downs of life with a more peaceful mindset, seeking inner tranquility amidst the turmoil. It resembles a tome of immense depth, with every page inscribed with wisdom and compassion, awaiting the perusal and comprehension of the attentive reader.
Note: The Jade Buddha Hall is the main and sacred building of the temple, and Photography is Not Allowed inside.
Travel Information
Location: 170 Anyuan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai
Open hours: 8:00am--16:30pm
Recommended visiting hours: 1-2 Hours
Admission: Free of Charge